Chinoiserie, chinese, exotic, western, traditional, comtemporary, familiar, strange, absurd, funny, weird…Everything like flowers in the fog, what is real? What is unreal?
“Flowers in the Fog” was my master graduation project. It embodies the ambiguity of reality and authenticity. Influenced by Homi Bhabha’s “Third Space” theory and Ailing Zhang’s creative approach, this collection seeks to bridge Chinese and Western cultures. Zhang’s portrayal of ancient Chinese objects in her novels, which observe a feudal society from a modern perspective, inspires my design method. Following the footsteps of artists such as Wang Jin, Do Ho Suh, and Tatiane Freitas, I explore materials and techniques from industrialized society to present traditional elements.
The collection reflects the juxtaposition of ancient and modern China in the early 20th century, where absurdity and mixing reigned. I capture the fractured beauty of Hong Kong’s distorted Western culture intertwined with enduring Chinese traditions. Challenging notions of authenticity, titled “Flowers in the Fog,” repurposes Western clothing into traditional Chinese garments. Sustainability drives my approach as I repurpose second-hand clothing, contributing to the dialogue of cultural perspectives and environmental consciousness.
Photo credit: Tim Nowitzki Model: Karla Huff, Jinyi Qian, Zhiqi Guan
The moon shimmers, fades, and disappears as the clouds drift across her, yet she is always there, hanging in the darkness in a silent, gentle, and powerful way.
Photo credit: Marie Capesius Model: Nele, Anna
Trash 2018
The proliferation of online e-commerce has fulfilled people’s shopping desires, providing convenient and diverse options for consumers. The advent of express delivery, a byproduct of the expansion of online shopping, is symbolized by the ubiquitous express carton. This project serves to illustrate the fundamental human desires and the resulting sense of emptiness. By repurposing this waste material into wearable art pieces, which are transformed into new products that reintegrate into human behavior.
Photo credit: Nanyi Li
Tête-Bêche 2017
The “Tête-Bêche” draws inspiration from a pair of stamps with one positive and one negative orientation, mirroring the turbulent emotions and desires depicted in Wong Kar-wai’s film “In the Mood for Love”. The fragmented elements represent the introspective protagonists as they grapple with disillusionment in human relationships, feelings of loneliness, and a longing for connection, which capture the raw authenticity of the love relationship.
Photo credit: Ye Yuan
A Daydreamer 2017
“A Daydreamer” draws inspiration from Sigmund Freud’s personality theory (ego, id, superego) and psychoanalysis. This collection employs the medium of garments to express the concept of the self (I) within the context of my consciousness, In doing so, it transforms transforming abstract ego concepts and personality theory into fashion design.
